“I’m assuming not alone,” Daniel said.
“No! He wasn’t alone. He had a woman! With shoes!”
Carly started pacing the room, grumbling to herself. Her blonde ponytail bounced behind her, flip-flops slapping on the hardwood floor. Emily caught the words “douche bag” and “throat punch.” The others left her alone, so Emily did too.
Joey fixed a drink and stood by the bar with Ryder and Gabriel. They exchanged handshakes. Grace went and sat quietly in an armchair in the corner, drawing her feet up.
“He was with another woman?” Ryder asked Joey. Joey nodded.
“Bastard,” Ryder said.
“Agreed,” Gabriel said. “What about the memorial?”
“He’s not coming,” Joey said.
“He better not,” Ryder said.
“She has us,” Joey said.
“But to deal with opening the bar, the memorial, and this?” Gabriel said. “Yeah, he better not show up. Thank God Noah isn’t here. He’d blow a gasket.”
Emily, feeling awkward, turned to look at the bookcases. She saw the framed copy of that last picture they took. The same picture she had packed. We were so young. The world was our oyster. What had happened?
“Emily?” Emily turned to see Ryder. Tall and lanky, with a devilish smile that matched his eyes. He wore a black cowboy hat, boots, and the big shiny belt buckle from his latest rodeo win. She smiled and tucked the picture under an arm.
“Hi, Ryder,” she said.
He enveloped her in a hug. “It’s been too long. It really is good to see you again.”
“Are you staying a while, Emily?” Gabriel asked.
“It looks that way,” Emily said. “Noah and I did a walk-through of the old house today.”
“We can help you with that too,” Ryder said.
Joey walked up then, greeting Emily with a hug and a dimpled smile. “Glad you came. We’ve missed you here.”
He nodded at Carly. “I better try to get her to eat something. And try to get her to sleep. If she doesn’t, she’ll be all kinds of sick tomorrow. And she has enough to deal with.”
“Ryder?”
Grace, the youngest of them all now, crossed the room to where the guys were. “I’m ready to go to the house. And Furby’s probably ready for a walk. Can I get the rest of my things out of your truck?” She smiled at Emily. “It’s good to see you again, Emily.”
“You too, Grace,” Emily said.
Emily stifled a yawn. “I think I’m going to turn in too.”
“Okay,” he said. “Do you want to come help us with Snapper’s tomorrow? We’ll probably have a beer or two after here. We’ll have more time to catch up.”
“I’d like that.” Emily said.
He hugged her. “It’s good to have you home.”
She pulled the picture out that was still under her arm and put it back on the shelf. “It’s good to be home.”
Chapter Nine
Carly opened the door of the old bait shop with a flourish and a bow, despite her bloodshot blue eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the future Snapper’s Bar and Grill.”
Emily followed the group into the building.
“So, Carly? Where do you want us to start?” Noah asked.
Emily’s eyes darted around, taking in the decor. Years ago, it was the bait shop Emily, her dad or grandfather, and Daniel stopped at before their fishing trips. Now, it was soon to be Snapper’s. Basic “hole in the wall” was now the theme. There had already been some work done as there were neon beer signs on the wall waiting to be turned on. A pool table sat in the middle, an abandoned pool stick lay across it. There was a jukebox against the wall by the pool table.
“We need to get the bar area ready. The cash register is there already. We have barware to clean and set out. It’s there in those boxes by the liquor samples the distributor sent. Girls, we can clean and start decorating. We need to get a move on. That oilfield function is next month. We need to be open by then to take advantage of it. And we have the spaghetti cook-off planned too.”
Emily watched as Carly walked through the building, talking to herself. “The jukebox works there. We have the pool table already. Do we need another? Need to check the bathrooms.”
“I’m going to check out the kitchen,” Joey said. “See what needs to be done in there. I’m sure it’s a mess.”
“Ryder, Gabe, you want to help me get the stuff out of the truck?” Noah asked.
Ryder and Gabe followed Noah out to the truck, leaving Emily and Grace standing in the room.
“You want to help me find some stuff to clean with?” Emily asked Grace.
“Sure.”
Soon, everyone was busy. Joey was in the kitchen. He had shooed everyone out, saying if it was going to be his domain then he was going to be the one to get it ready. Carly was busy hanging new decorations she had picked up, including a ‘Coming Soon’ banner. The rest of the guys were busy with hammers, saws, and whatever else they needed to finish the bar. Noah had drawn up the plans, and they had gotten to work. Emily and Grace worked in silence. Emily felt Noah’s eyes on her as she swept the massive floor. She looked up and met his glance and blushed. He smiled at her and went back to work. Carly was a dictator and if she caught you not working, she found something for you to do.
Hours later, the group took seats at the bar. Carly handed out beers she had brought in an ice chest, and they took a moment to toast.
“To Snapper’s!” Carly said.
“To Snapper’s!” they all chimed back.
“To Benjamin,” Noah added. And they all cheered back.
The door opened, and a stranger came in. “Oh God,” Carly said. “It’s Cheech.”
“Cheech?”
“That’s what Joey and I call him. That’s who he looks like. His real name is Charles. He’s a local, a fisherman.”
Emily glanced over. Sure enough, the man looked like Cheech from the Cheech and Chong movies. Same shaggy gray hair, same slightly narrowed and hazy eyes.
“Are you guys open?” he asked.
“Not yet, but come on in if you want. You can play some pool,” Carly said. She then whispered to Emily, “He’s harmless, most of the time. Too much pot has his memory all fuzzy.”
Cheech spotted Carly and came over.
“Hey, pretty lady. Carly, right?”
“Hi, Charles,” she replied. “Yes, it’s Carly. And this is Emily.”
“Oh, hi, Emily,” he replied with a short chuckle. “So, Emily, do you smoke pot?”
Emily felt her eyes go wide. “Um, no.”
“That’s cool. Just thought I’d offer,” he said, then walked off to the other side of the bar.
Carly laughed.
“That’s one of our more colorful locals,” Carly said.
“Yeah, I’d say. More like psychedelic,” Emily said.
Carly laughed. “Yes, exactly. Man, I’ve missed this place. I needed this. After yesterday.”
Emily nodded her head, unsure of what to say, but knowing what Carly was feeling. It felt good to be surrounded by her friends. She watched as Cheech grabbed a beer, then went off to the pool tables to play a game by himself. He mumbled the whole time.
“You’re sure he’s harmless?” Emily asked.
“Perfectly.”
Ryder popped the top on a beer and came to sit beside them. His brown eyes traveled up and down her body, and he grinned. “So, you have a boyfriend?”
Emily looked over at Noah. He had taken a seat at the end of the new bar, and was sitting quietly, staring out into space, peeling the label off his beer.
“No,” Emily responded. Technically, she didn’t have a boyfriend. And he hadn’t asked anything about a husband.
“Girlfriend?” he asked.
“No!” Emily felt her face flush.
Carly smacked his arm. “You’re embarrassing her. She’s been away for a while. She might not be used to you.”
“And?” Ryder asked, still smiling. He
had a beautiful smile, a real smile that reached his chocolate brown eyes.
“Wanna get naked and throw potato salad, then?”
“What?”
“What? You don’t like potato salad?” He smiled at her.
Emily smiled back, as his smile was contagious.
“Hey, pretty ladies.” Cheech was back. “Is the jukebox working? Wanna hear some music?”
“The switch is in the back. Play what you want,” Carly said. “I like all kinds of music.”
“Cool, man.” He chuckled a bit, and then said, “I mean wo-man.”
Cheech walked over to the jukebox. Emily watched as he slowly shuffled through the selections At his pace, they might hear music the next day.
“Well, will you dance with me, then?” Ryder asked as a popular, fast country song came on.
“No. Maybe next time. I am not a good dancer. How about Carly?”
Carly, Ryder, and Joey laughed.
“No, she can’t,” Ryder said. “She’s hopeless.”
“He’s right,” Carly agreed. “Last time he tried to teach me, he kicked me in the shin.”
“On purpose?” Emily asked.
“On purpose.”
“I think I'll pass on the dance, then,” Emily said, smiling.
“Okay, then.” He gave her one more look, and then smiled. “But let me know if you change your mind. About the dance or the potato salad.”
“Will do,” Emily said.
The country music faded and the strains of a popular Christmas carol came on. Emily looked at Carly.
“What the hell?” Carly asked. “It’s October.”
“Well, apparently for Cheech, it’s Christmas time,” Joey said.
“I'll Be Home for Christmas” wafted through the room.
“Sure you don’t want to dance?” Ryder asked her. “It’s a slow song.”
She chewed her bottom lip and looked at Carly, who smiled back. “Go ahead.”
“If I do, you have to dance too,” Emily said, sure Carly wouldn’t agree. She would be saved.
“Fine,” Carly said. “C’mon, Joey.” She grabbed Joey’s hand. Emily groaned.
Ryder extended a hand, and Emily cautiously took it. The four of them walked to the small empty area in front of the fireplace. Emily stood stiffly in front of Ryder. He was a head taller than she was, so she stared at his shirt. She took a few hesitant steps and tried to follow him.
“Relax,” he said. “It’s just a dance. And I left the potato salad at home.”
He respected her need for space and held her close, but not too close. He set a slow pace that was easy to follow. His hand rested on her hip. Her hand was on his shoulder. She found herself relaxing and letting herself follow him and the slow beat of the music.
“See?” he said. “You’re doing fine.”
The music ended and Ryder gave her a quick hug. “Thank you.”
“That was fun,” Emily said. “Thank you. I haven’t danced in years.”
“Then it’s about time you started again.”
“Maybe so,” Emily said.
As they resumed their seats, Noah’s eyes found Emily’s, and she wondered what it would be like to dance with Noah again after all these years. She wondered what it felt like to feel him close. Her stomach fluttered. His eyes narrowed, and she foolishly wondered if he could read her thoughts. Nervously, she looked down, sipping her beer.
Noah left his spot at the end of the bar where he had been on the outskirts of the group, nursing a beer.
“I’m flirting with Emily here,” Ryder said as Noah took a seat beside him, grinning and winking at Emily.
“Oh really? And how is that working out for you?”
“It’s not,” Ryder said. “She doesn’t like potato salad.”
Emily laughed and finished off the drink.
“You want another one?” Noah asked.
She was tempted. Oscar, though, was probably ready for a walk.
“You guys staying here for a little while?” she asked.
Carly laughed. “More than likely.”
“I’m going to go walk Oscar and come back,” Emily said. Rather than sit alone at the house, she would come back and enjoy their company. A little laughter would do her good. She thought of the picture on the fridge. The picture of herself smiling. It was time to find that person again.
“Mind if I go with you?” Noah asked. “Sadie probably could use a break too.”
“Sure,” she said.
“We’ll be back in just a bit, then,” Noah said to the others.
“You want to meet me in front of my place?” she said to Noah.
“I can do that.”
Emily walked quickly to the cabin and leashed Oscar. Noah was waiting with Sadie when she returned.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yep.”
Noah noticed Oscar straining at his leash, ready to run. “You can let him go when we get to the beach.”
When they reached the beach, Emily unleashed Oscar. He and Sadie took off down the waterline. Noah and Emily walked slowly behind them. Emily wondered what it would be like to feel her hand in his and stroll down the beach.
Emily’s cell phone started ringing, and she cringed. It had to be Eddie. Again. Should she answer? She looked at the caller ID. Sure enough, it was Eddie. She was walking along the beach with Noah. Answering Eddie’s call did not seem like the greatest idea.
She frowned, and in that hesitation it went to voice mail.
When the message alert chimed, she pulled up his message. She turned away from Noah as she listened.
“Em,” Eddie said. “I’m sorry. Please answer the phone. I need to talk to you. I took care of the rent and the electricity. I got the money from my sister. Please call me back.”
She didn’t know what was worse, his angry rants or his desperate pleas to return. She was going to have to take care of this. It wasn’t fair to either of them. She felt Noah’s hand on her shoulder.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “Can you give me a minute?”
“Sure. I’ll just walk down to check on the dogs.”
“Great. Thanks.”
She watched him stroll down the beach and then dialed Eddie’s number.
“Eddie?” she said when he answered.
“Emily? Where are you? When are you coming home?”
“Eddie, I’m not coming back.”
“Why not? I promise I’ll change. I’ll look harder for a job.”
“It’s not about the job, Eddie. It’s more than that. It’s the drinking too.”
“Come home, Emily, and we’ll work on this together. I’ll go to AA.”
“No, Eddie. I won’t.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me! You have to come back and help me!” Emily winced as his tone changed from pleading to angry. “You need to get back here now. Wait, are those seagulls I hear?”
“I’m not coming back, Eddie.”
“You are such a bitch, Emily. It’s always about you, isn’t it? I want to go to school. I want to run away from home and my husband. I want,” he mimicked her voice.
Emily inhaled a deep breath against the pain the words inflicted.
“Goodbye, Eddie,” she said quietly. She pushed the button to end the call. Damn, she thought. He had heard the seagulls. He would figure out where she was. Would he come find her? Would he make that much effort? She would have to check into an attorney soon. But since it was Saturday, it would have to wait.
“You okay?” Noah asked after returning.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“You want to talk about it?”
“Not right now.”
“Ready to go back?” he asked.
She thought about going back to the bar and was tempted, but the conversation with Eddie drained her.
He noticed her hesitation. “Why don’t you let me repay you for dinner the other night and let me cook something for you?”
“What about the others?”
“I’ll send them a text,” Noah said. He looked away before saying, “I think they’re used to me disappearing by now.”
“Dinner, huh?” Emily thought of someone else cooking for a change, and found the idea as appealing as Noah’s company. “That sounds like a plan.”
“Meet me at the houseboat in about an hour?” he asked.
“You got it.”
Chapter Ten
In the quiet of the cabin, Emily began to worry about the upcoming dinner with Noah. Maybe she should just cancel. It would be easier that way. She wouldn’t have to worry about what to wear, what to talk about, what he was thinking.
Should she stay? Should she go?
The temptation of the houseboat proved too much. She wanted to feel the rocking of the waves, wanted to be on the water. She would be cautious, but would go. Finally settling on a battered but comfortable pair of jeans and a Ragin Cajuns t-shirt, she tossed on the clothes, a little bit of makeup, and headed out the door.
“Come on in,” Noah said, swinging open the gate to the houseboat and helping her aboard. “What’s your poison?”
“Crown and Coke.”
He led her to the tiny galley area. Although it was an older boat, you could see how much work Noah had put into it. Fresh beige paint covered the walls. A flat screen TV adorned one wall. Surround sound speakers poked out in the corners of the living area. Through the door at the end of the kitchen she could see the bedroom. The white seashell bedspread was tight across the bed. The boat was clean and neat. Apparently a habit carried over from the Marine Corps days. A bar covered a small wall in the galley. Special wooden shelves held a few bottles and glasses in place.
“Smells good,” Emily said as the seafood smells mixed with spice came from the kitchen.
“Seafood enchiladas. From the shrimp and crab we caught. Doesn’t get any fresher than that.”
He opened the oven door to check on the food. “Not ready yet. I’m going to go ahead and push off. It can finish while we enjoy the boat ride. Wanna take your drink outside, sit and relax?”
“Sure.”
With Oscar and Sadie at her heels, Emily made her way through the small living area and through the sliding glass doors at the front of the boat.
Tangled Up In You (Fleur de Lis Book 1) Page 6
